J. Coffey Construction - Journey to Net Zero

IEMA member Adrian Clamp, Sustainability & Systems Director of J. Coffey Construction discusses issues of leading contracting companies committing to Net Zero commitments not being possible without Tier 1 sub-contractor support in order to meet the challenge of the Government’s Net Zero 2050 objective.

Following participation in an IEMA Net Zero webinar, J Coffey Construction committed to making to the Pledge to Net Zero. Having produced a thirty-two-page Carbon Reduction Strategy along with a Carbon Reduction Implementation Plan, the Board of Directors were advised of the importance of having such a strategy in place or risk not being invited to tender for work in the very near future, if we as an organisation could not demonstrate our intent to reduce our Carbon footprint.

Green Element were appointed in association with Compare your Footprint, to develop a data collation platform for our Organisation, to capture our Scope1, Scope 2 & Scope 3 emission data based on Science Based Targets, as per the Paris Agreement/Greenhouse Gas protocol.

Apart from producing and having a Carbon Reduction Policy approved by the Board, they were advised that all Directors should participate in a three-hour long Climate Change practical workshop, so as to lead by example. Further training was disseminated through the layers of Senior Management, (55 in total). Energy reduction tool box talks would then be delivered to operational staff; training of which has already begun and will continue, to demonstrate awareness throughout the business from tender submission to project delivery. We have formed a Carbon Reduction Steering Group (CRSG) with roles and responsibilities appointed to gather the data, review plant and equipment initiatives, monitor progress and report findings on a quarterly basis.

Two of the largest Main Contractors have already acknowledged our efforts and advised we are exemplars as preferred Tier 1 contractors in initiating our strategy. All our targets & objectives to date are currently on track in delivery of the strategy.

With the data collation platform nearing completion, we will commence monitoring our progress from January 4th 2021 based on a 2019 baseline year.

Please note: the views expressed in this blog are those of the individual contributing member, and are not necessarily representative of the views of IEMA or any professional institutions with which IEMA is associated.